Which Sites Offer Free Use Soundtracks For Indie Podcasts?

I get this little thrill hunting down the right soundtrack for a small podcast episode — it's like scoring the mood for a scene. If you want completely free tracks that you can actually use, start with 'YouTube Audio Library' and 'Free Music Archive' — both have big libraries and filters for license types. 'YouTube Audio Library' is super convenient because it marks which tracks need attribution and which are safe for commercial use, and you can download directly. 'Free Music Archive' has been a go-to for podcasters who like indie flavors and Creative Commons tags.

For more specific vibes, check out 'Incompetech' (Kevin MacLeod's collection) and 'Bensound' — both offer free tracks with attribution, and they make it obvious how to credit the creator. 'ccMixter' and 'Jamendo' are great for remix-y or world-music styles but watch for CC BY-NC licenses if your podcast has sponsors. Finally, 'Freesound.org' and 'ZapSplat' are lifesavers for sound effects and ambiances. Always double-check whether a tune allows commercial use, and include a credit in your episode notes; it keeps you safe and supports the artists. I always feel way more professional after jotting down proper credits, odd as that sounds.

Sometimes I approach soundtrack hunting like a scavenger hunt: first figure out the tone (mellow, tense, playful), then pick a few sites that specialize in that mood. For ambient and cinematic pads I often use 'Incompetech' and 'FreePD', because the loops are easy to layer and edit. For upbeat indie intro music, 'Jamendo' and 'Bensound' have a lot of ready-to-go options. I pay close attention to license tags — CC0 is the easiest (no attribution required), CC BY requires a credit line, and CC BY-SA has share-alike rules that can complicate things if you remix.

Another useful trick: build a tiny folder of 10–15 tracks you like and test them under your voiceover so you can judge levels. For one episode I realized a piano loop from 'Purple Planet Music' made my interview sound warmer without overpowering it. Also don’t forget SFX: 'Freesound.org' and 'ZapSplat' provide door sounds, city ambiances, and risers that add polish. If you ever hit a gray area, email the artist — many creators are happy to grant podcast-friendly terms. I always end episodes feeling a lot more satisfied when the music actually fits the story.

I've hunted down a bunch of places over the years for podcast-friendly music and I’m always excited to share the best free options that actually work for indie creators. If you want truly free — either public domain or Creative Commons — start with YouTube Audio Library (super convenient, clear terms, tracks often marked for reuse with no problem), Incompetech by Kevin MacLeod (tons of themeable tracks under CC BY if you credit him), and Audionautix (Jason Shaw’s library, free with attribution). Free Music Archive used to be the go-to hub and still has a lot of creators offering CC licenses, and ccMixter is great if you need stems and remixes under Creative Commons. For classical or public-domain recordings, Musopen and FreePD are lifesavers because they’re explicitly free for any use.

If you want variety, add Bensound, Purple Planet, TeknoAXE, and Josh Woodward to your bookmarks. Bensound and Purple Planet let you use some tracks for free with attribution (check each track’s terms), TeknoAXE offers a wide range and is pretty clear about attribution, and Josh Woodward gives free songs for creators under CC BY. freesound.org is an amazing resource for sound effects and short loops — lots of CC0 and CC BY samples, but it’s more sample-focused than full soundtrack-ready tracks. Jamendo can also be useful; it offers Creative Commons tracks and has separate commercial licences you can purchase if your podcast becomes monetized. A quick note: OpSound and some smaller composer sites will also let you use music for free if you credit them or contact them — I’ve found gems that way.

Licensing is the real thing to pay attention to: CC0 means no attribution needed and is the safest choice for monetized podcasts; CC BY requires credit (very common and usually fine); CC BY-NC forbids commercial use (so not great if you plan ads or Patreon perks); CC BY-ND disallows derivative works (you often do fades/cuts which could technically violate ND); CC BY-SA requires share-alike (less common issue but keep in mind). Always read the license for the specific track and keep a copy or screenshot of the license page and the artist’s name — I put the exact credit in my show notes like this: Music: 'Carefree' by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) — CC BY 3.0 / https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/ . Also double-check whether the artist has their song registered with a performing rights organization (ASCAP/BMI/PRS); that can sometimes complicate things for distribution platforms, though it’s relatively rare with independent composers who publish under CC.

If you want worry-free, royalty-free paid libraries like Epidemic Sound, Artlist, and Musicbed are the shortcut — they cost money but give blanket commercial use and are used by many podcasters who don’t want to fuss. For most indie podcasters though, I stick to YouTube Audio Library, Incompetech, Audionautix, ccMixter, and FreePD for themes and loops, and freesound.org for SFX. My routine is: pick a track, check license, download the highest-quality file, write the exact attribution in my notes, and keep a license screenshot. It’s worked great so far — saves money and keeps the vibe of the show fresh. Happy hunting and I can’t wait to hear what soundtrack you pick for your podcast!

If I had to give quick, practical options: 'YouTube Audio Library', 'Free Music Archive', 'Incompetech', 'Bensound', 'ccMixter', 'Pixabay Music', and 'Pexels Music' are where I start. For sound effects I go to 'Freesound.org' and 'ZapSplat'. The single most important habit is reading the license: only use CC0 or CC BY for monetized shows unless you secure permission.

A couple of fast tips — keep a short attribution template ready (track, artist, license, link); download WAVs if available for better editing; and trim loops in your editor so they don't clash with dialogue. Over time you'll notice which sites match your podcast's aesthetic, so the search gets easier. Happy hunting — good music makes a cheap show sound expensive, and I love that payoff.

I tend to be picky about licensing, so I use a checklist when grabbing free music: is it CC0, CC BY, or CC BY-NC? If it's CC BY, I note exactly how to credit the creator in the show notes. My favorite quick sources are 'Pixabay Music' and 'Pexels Music' for modern, loop-friendly beds, and 'Musopen' when I need public-domain classical pieces. For atmospheric sounds and Foley, 'Freesound.org' is invaluable — search by tag, check the waveform, and read the user comment about audio quality.

A few other names that often crop up: 'Purple Planet Music' offers free tracks with attribution; 'FreePD' is a small archive of public-domain tracks that are totally safe; and the 'Audio Library' YouTube channel posts creator-friendly music uploadable to episodes. If your podcast might be monetized, avoid CC BY-NC tracks unless you secure separate permission. I also keep a short text template for attributions so I can paste it into episode descriptions without thinking — saves time and keeps things tidy. Works for me every time.